Contact Us: studentsuccess@sandiego.edu
M.S. in Learning Design and Technology
As an online student, most of your interactions with the university will be done through various websites. For example:
Our number one priority is you! Our team has prepared a checklist of items that will set you up for success and clarify all action items as a new student. After you have enrolled for your first term, please complete and review all of the following before classes start.
This webinar will go over a comprehensive look at your program and what to expect as an online learner including resources and tips for success. Each webinar should last around 30-40 minutes. Please RSVP for your Welcome Webinar as soon as possible.
In this call, you’ll “meet” a member of your Student Success Team for your program. Once you attend the welcome webinar, you will be given the link to schedule your new student check-in call. This will be a chance for us to answer any additional questions you have before you start your first term. Please be sure to have any Blackboard-related, program-related, or finance-related questions prepared.
Once you have been registered in your classes, you will be able to access your New Student Orientation Course on Blackboard within 24 hours. When accessing Blackboard, please make sure to use Firefox or Chrome as your browser.
The New Student Orientation course is designed to help you navigate your way around Blackboard prior to beginning your first class. You will learn where to find the syllabus, course schedule, assignments, and the discussion board.
Your Orientation is mandatory, and must be completed before the first day of class—so we encourage you to get started! Please plan to spend about 6-8 hours completing the Orientation course. You can move through the Orientation at your own pace, so schedule your time accordingly.
Looking for assistance? View the guide for navigating your Blackboard Orientation course.
All students in the online MS-LDT program require current access to Articulate360 tools for various assignments and projects. The University of San Diego will issue a one-time, discounted tech fee of $280 for all first-semester students to be granted access to an Articulate360 account. Visit the “Tuition & Payment Methods” section for more information.
If you need an Articulate360 account, no action is required. More details will be shared at the start of your program.
If you do not need an Articulate360 account, be sure to submit your waiver request by submitting the Waiver Request Form. Please note that Artilcuate360 access cannot be granted after the first day of class, so only submit the waiver if you already have an account to use with access to the required tools. Visit the “Tuition & Payment Methods” section for more information.
We recommend that students start this planning early as some funding sources can take some time to process. Tuition payments should be completed in full by the first day of the semester. Visit the “Tuition & Payment Methods” section for more information.
Please make sure to review your student handbook prior to the first day of class, and reference it as needed throughout your program. The handbook is where you can find information on academic expectations, drop and refund policy, technology requirements, curriculum, frequently asked questions, and more.
Below is a list of significant dates regarding the registration process, payment deadlines, and other important academic and program deadlines.
Summer 2023 Dates & Deadlines
Important Dates | Date |
---|---|
Application Deadline | April 10, 2023 |
Registration Opens | March 6, 2023 |
Registration Deadline | April 21, 2023 |
Orientation Course Due Date | May 5, 2023 |
Last Day to Drop with 100% Refund | May 8, 2023 |
Payment Due Date | May 9, 2023 |
Semester Begins | May 9, 2023 |
First Course Start Date | May 9, 2023 |
Last Day to Drop with 95% Refund/ Drop Deadline | May 12, 2023 |
Last Day to Withdraw from Course A | June 5, 2023 |
First Course End Date | June 26, 2023 |
Second Course Start Date | June 27, 2023 |
First Course Final Grade Submission Due Date | July 11, 2023 |
Last Day to Withdraw from Course B | July 24, 2023 |
Second Course End Date | August 14, 2023 |
Semester Ends | August 14, 2023 |
Second Course Final Grade Submission Due Date | August 28, 2023 |
Fall 2023 Dates & Deadlines
Important Dates | Date |
---|---|
Application Deadline | August 1, 2023 |
Registration Opens | July 3, 2023 |
Registration Deadline | August 14, 2023 |
Orientation Course Due Date | September 1, 2023 |
Last Day to Drop with 100% Refund | September 4, 2023 |
Payment Due Date | September 5, 2023 |
Semester Begins | September 5, 2023 |
First Course Start Date | September 5, 2023 |
Last Day to Drop with 95% Refund/ Drop Deadline | September 8, 2023 |
Last Day to Withdraw from Course A | October 2, 2023 |
First Course End Date | October 23, 2023 |
Second Course Start Date | October 24, 2023 |
First Course Final Grade Submission Due Date | November 6, 2023 |
Last Day to Withdraw from Course B | November 20, 2023 |
Second Course End Date | December 11, 2023 |
Semester Ends | December 11, 2023 |
Second Course Final Grade Submission Due Date | December 25, 2023 |
Spring 2023 Dates & Deadlines
Important Dates | Date |
---|---|
Application Deadline | December 2, 2022 |
Registration Opens | November 2, 2022 |
Registration Deadline | December 16, 2022 |
Orientation Course Due Date | January 6, 2023 |
Last Day to Drop with 100% Refund | January 9, 2023 |
Payment Due Date | January 10, 2023 |
Semester Begins | January 10, 2023 |
First Course Start Date | January 10, 2023 |
Last Day to Drop with 95% Refund/ Drop Deadline | January 13, 2023 |
Last Day to Withdraw from Course A | February 6, 2023 |
First Course End Date | February 27, 2023 |
First Course Final Grade Submission Due Date | March 13, 2023 |
Second Course Start Date | February 28, 2023 |
Last Day to Withdraw from Course B | March 27, 2023 |
Second Course End Date | April 17, 2023 |
Semester Ends | April 17, 2023 |
Second Course Final Grade Submission Due Date | May 1, 2023 |
You have most likely already filled out an Enrollment Agreement, which enables our team to register you for classes each term. No further action is required on your part.
If you are not able to register for both of your courses in a given term, please contact your program coordinator immediately. This often happens for students who need to take a leave of absence.
Students are required to have their textbooks on hand by the first day of class. Unless otherwise specified, students may select any vendor they prefer (such as Amazon.com, Half.com, Alibris.com, etc.) to purchase their course materials. In the event a specific vendor is required, it will be specified in the course materials list. The best way to ensure that you have the correct book is to search by the ISBN number(s) listed on the book list.
Physical copies of books are not on hand at the USD Torero Store. The USD Torero online store does offer price comparisons for different online vendors for some books.
Although all textbooks for all courses are listed, students only need to purchase the items for the classes they are taking for the semester.
If your course is indicated to have a “Digital Inclusive Access” textbook, you do have the option to use the integrated Vitalsource e-textbook without needing to purchase a textbook through an outside vendor. For more information, view the “Digital Inclusive Access” FAQs document.
Tuition at USD is billed per semester, not per course. Payment (or enrollment in an official USD payment plan) is always due by the first day of the semester. Students may not carry balances from one semester to the next.
Accounts with outstanding balances after the official payment due date may be subject to course cancellations/removal or a student account hold during the semester; related holds can prevent upcoming registration, graduation, or obtaining transcripts.
Remember: tuition is always due by the first day of each semester.
Once you have been registered for your courses, your student account will reflect the appropriate tuition costs according to your program. Your program’s tuition is the following:
Students who need to re-take or withdraw from a course may need to pay additional fees according to the Refund/Drop Deadline policies listed in your Student Handbook.
If you have any questions about your Student Account, please reach out to the One Stop Center via email at onestop@sandiego.edu or phone at 619-260-2700. All costs and fees are subject to change and are based on the academic year of enrollment.
All students in the online MS-LDT program require current access to Articulate360 software for various assignments and projects. The University of San Diego will issue a one-time, discounted tech fee of $280 for all first-semester students to be granted access to an Articulate360 account. The account suite will grant access to the following tools:
Students that already have access to Articulate360 and the required tools can waive this one-time fee by submitting the Waiver Request Form. Please only submit a waiver if you already have access to the following required tools: Storyline 360, Rise 360, Content Library 360, & Review 360.
All enrolled students will have access to Articulate360. If you file a Leave of Absence, withdraw/drop a course, or graduate from the program, access will be terminated until you enroll again in the program.
Students will be registered for their prescribed courses each semester. All courses must be dropped prior to the first day of the semester to receive a 100% tuition refund and within the first three days of the start date of the semester to receive a 95% tuition refund. No refund (reversal of tuition) will be provided after the third day of the semester for any class.
You can track your progress toward earning your degree using the Degree Works feature in your MySanDiego student portal. Degree Works shows you which courses you have completed, grades, cumulative GPA, any outstanding graduation requirements, and more!
To access Degree Works:
Submitting your petition to graduate is a requirement for every student. About a semester before your final term, you will be reminded by your Program Coordinator to submit your petition to graduate. Once completed, your Academic Coordinator will review your academic record and contact you if there are any outstanding requirements or issues.
If you are planning on participating in the commencement ceremony (which means walking in your cap and gown here on campus), you will be invited to come to the University of San Diego in the month of May to participate in the ceremony. Commencement details and information will be sent from your Student Success Team around the month of February. Please note, there is only one commencement ceremony each academic year. Fall graduates will be invited to the commencement ceremony the May after they graduate, while Summer graduates will be invited to the commencement ceremony the May before they graduate.
The registrar will process their final audit of the degrees 6-8 weeks after grades are posted for your final semester. Once the degree is conferred in the system, the Registrar will order your diploma from the vendor and the vendor will send it to you directly to the address that was listed on your petition to graduate. Mailing time is an additional 6-8 weeks from the date of order, and you will likely receive your diploma in the mail in 3-4 months after you have completed your degree requirements. *Please note, if your mailing address changes after you submit your Petition to Graduate, please notify the Graduate Records office at (619) 260-2217 or usdgradrec@sandiego.edu.
The 30 unit program will consist of ten courses. Courses will be offered year-round with three semesters every year; Spring, Summer, and Fall. Each semester will last 14 weeks. Students will take two courses per semester. Courses will run for seven weeks each with a one or two-week break in between semesters. This intensive format will allow students to focus on one course at a time and to still complete the degree program in 20 months.
This course focuses on the field of instructional and learning design. The history of instructional design and the quickly evolving landscape of the profession will be reviewed. Learning theories, current theories of learning and cognition, and instructional design development models will be examined. Students will engage with these theories and models to think critically about sound and research-based instructional design approaches for instruction.
This course introduces students to research-based principles of effective multimedia design and the creation of original media that conforms to those principles. It examines common learning technologies and tools used for the development of multimedia for instruction. Tools include course authoring software such as Adobe Captivate and Articulate Storyline, and concepts include basic principles of HTML coding, website design, an introduction to visual and graphic design, and storyboarding. Emerging technologies are used in the creation of interactive learning experiences.
This course examines advanced topics in instructional design, including needs assessment, instructional challenges, learner characteristics, task analysis, alignment of learning objectives, content sequencing, instructional strategies, instructional delivery, evaluation instruments, instructional resources, formative and summative assessments, and project management. Students will learn to employ sound design principles and best practices in planning, designing, developing and evaluating effective learning experiences.
This course explores the artistic and technical aspects of creating engaging and accessible digital media to relay information. Discusses research-based and ethical approaches to multimedia design. Students apply basic principles of user experience (UX) and follow WCAG 2.1 guidelines in the design of an ADA compliant learning artifact prototype. Explore production methods using emerging design tools. Evaluate design decisions based on learner experience (LX) design rubric.
This course focuses on digital asset and artifact curation. It explores laws applicable to education and training including provisions of the U.S. Technology, Education and Copyright Harmonization Act, Open Educational Resources and Creative Commons Licensing. Legal and ethical case studies related to the use of easily accessible online artifacts and assets are examined. Content curation methods are also discussed.
This course establishes a strong foundation for ethical leadership in the field of virtual learning. It focuses on developing knowledge of regulatory bodies (i.e. Accreditation, Accessibility, GDPR, etc.) and developing communication skills for effective learning with various project stakeholders. Students will examine case studies where they will analyze data, create efficient project plans, and maintain timelines with stakeholders in order to meet the needs of their learners.
This course examines theories and techniques for evaluating educational and training programs. Students apply methodologies used to identify needs, establish objectives, and critically evaluate quality and outcomes in education, industry, and adult training environments. Students will learn how program evaluation provides evidence to support the assertions made in the program plan.
This course examines theories and techniques for evaluating educational and training programs. Students apply methodologies used to identify needs, establish objectives, and critically evaluate quality and outcomes in education, industry, and adult training environments. Students will learn how program evaluation provides evidence to support the assertions made in the program plan.
This course emphasizes the evaluation, application, and integration of emerging learning programs and media technologies. Students will examine learning program designs such as competency-based programs, MOOC, micro-credentialing and badging. Students will identify and assess trends in learning design in order to make responsible recommendations for deployment.
This culminating course synthesizes topics discussed in all program courses. Students demonstrate achievement of all program learning outcomes through a peer-evaluated portfolio project. Students reflect on quality and ethics in learning design and create an artifact.
This list is helpful resources that will set you up for success. Haven’t written in APA formatting since your undergraduate program? We’ve got you covered! Want to know what type of computer you will need? No problem. We have listed helpful resources below.
You must own or have unrestricted access to a computer for this program. Courses will utilize a variety of technologies and multimedia. To complete course activities and to access course content, please verify that you have the following technologies and plug-ins available:
All students in the online MS-LDT program require current access to Articulate360 software for various assignments and projects. The University of San Diego will issue a one-time, discounted tech fee of $280 for all first-semester students to be granted access to an Articulate360 account. The account suite will grant access to the following tools:
Students that already have access to Articulate360 and the required tools can waive this one-time fee by submitting the Waiver Request form. Please only submit a waiver if you already have access to the following required tools: Storyline 360, Rise 360, Content Library 360, & Review 360.
All enrolled students will have access to Articulate360. If you file a Leave of Absence, withdraw/drop a course, or graduate from the program, access will be terminated until you enroll again in the program.
If you have completed the entire E-Learning Instructional Design and Development Certificate with a “Pass” grade for each course from the Oregon State University Division of Continuing Education, you may be eligible to receive credit for LDT 500A and LDT 500B in your MS in Learning Design & Technology program!
To start the process of transferring units, email your Program Coordinator and let us know that you’ve completed the certificate. Please make sure that you’ve already submitted your official transcript to the university – we’ll need it to process the transfer.
If you have completed the entire E-Learning Instructional Design Certificate Program with a grade of B or better in each course from UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education, you may be eligible to receive credit for LDT 500A and LDT 500B in your MS in Learning Design & Technology program!
To start the process of transferring units, email your Program Coordinator and let us know that you’ve completed the certificate. Please make sure that you’ve already submitted your official transcript to the university – we’ll need it to process the transfer.
All writing assignments must be formatted according to APA standards. Discussion posts must contain the appropriate APA citations. If you want additional writing support, we recommend Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL@Purdue). In addition to general writing support, the website includes a special section dedicated to APA formatting guidelines.
Another helpful writing resource is the School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) Graduate Student Writing Center. Enrolled students can submit assignments for review by a writing professional.
Students at the University of San Diego are able to download Microsoft Office 365 for free! If you don’t have it already, you can download the Microsoft Office 365 suite using your USD student email.
TimelyCare is a provider of 24/7, no-cost telehealth services for USD students to address common conditions that can be safely diagnosed and treated remotely. TimelyCare services are available at no cost to the student. Services include:
The handbook is where you can find information on academic expectations, drop and refund policy, technology requirements, curriculum, frequently asked questions, and more.
USD does not offer subject-specific tutoring resources, so students who are looking for tutoring support are encouraged to identify a tutor using Wyzant.com. Please note that Wyzant is not a USD-managed resource, so use them at your own discretion.
It is the policy of the University of San Diego to adhere to the rules and regulations as announced in this brochure or other University Publications. The University nevertheless hereby gives notice that it reserves the right to expand or delete or otherwise modify this online publication whenever such changes are adjudged by it to be desirable or necessary. Changes will be made periodically as needed.
In your program, you can think of Blackboard as your virtual tool to share information with professors and peers. You will use Blackboard to access your course content, find course syllabi, review your assignments, and more. Be sure to use your USD login credential to log in. If you have any difficulty logging into your course, be sure to contact ITS at (619) 260-7900 or help@sandiego.edu.
The concept of netiquette covers proper communication online. Read our guidelines to help cultivate a supportive and productive online environment.
At USD, you join a community of individuals who are all committed to one common goal: your success. As you familiarize yourself with your team, take the opportunity to virtually meet and connect with the resources available to you as a student. Click on the profiles below to learn more about each office or staff member and watch a brief video about their role in supporting you through graduation.
Whether you’re hoping to find a new job or earn a promotion, USD has a wealth of resources available to prepare you for your dream role.
Tuition for the MS-LDT program is $710 per unit.
The online MS-LDT program is a total of 30 units.
Students will enroll in two prescribed courses each semester for a total of six (6) semester units.
The University of San Diego considers 9 or more units as full-time student status. Your program is designed to be part-time, and students enroll in just 6 units per semester. There is no full-time option for this program.
All students are manually enrolled each semester by the USD Student Success team. If you are not able to enroll for a term or if you need to drop your courses, it is your responsibility to notify your Program Coordinator. All students will be held to the respective drop deadlines and refund schedule detailed in your Student Handbook.
Login to your my.sandiego.edu student portal. Under the “My Student Account” tab, review the tutorials for directions on how to view and pay your bill, set up a payment plan, and enroll in eRefund (Direct Deposit). View the “Tuition & Payment Methods” on your Student Success Center for further details.
Log into your my.sandiego.edu student portal and navigate to the “Torero Hub” section on the sidebar. Click on the “My Academics” tab and locate the “View My Grades” link in the top-middle section. Alternatively, you can view your program progress at a glance using the “Degree Works” link.
If you notice a grade inconsistency between Blackboard and your MySanDiego portal, please email your instructor to verify what the final grade should be. Your instructor has the ability to update the posted grade.
Log into your my.sandiego.edu student portal and then use the “Degree Works” link to view your degree audit.
You can find the “Degree Works” link in the Torero Hub under the “My Academics” page. If you are interested in requesting a tailored degree plan, please email studentsuccess@sandiego.edu.
If you need to take time off from your program, please email your Program Coordinator or the Student Success team at studentsuccess@sandiego.edu. Since you have submitted your enrollment commitment, our team will automatically register you in courses each term unless you have previously notified the team about taking a break.
To order your official, unofficial, or e-transcript(s), view the transcript ordering options page. Otherwise, you can view unofficial/order official transcripts through your MySanDiego portal. Under the “Torero Hub” sidebar option, click on the “My Academics” page, then click on “Request Official Transcript” under the “My Classes” section.
Congratulations on finishing your program! Diplomas are mailed about 6-8 weeks after the degree requirements have been met and processed. Diplomas are mailed to the current address on file at the time degree requirements are completed. (To check your address information, login to your my.sandiego.edu student portal and view your personal information under My Torero Services.)
You will first be emailed a copy of your e-diploma from Parchment prior to receiving your mailed physical diploma.
Throughout your program and after graduation, your Student Success team is here to help! We recommend contacting your Program Coordinator directly, but you can also email our team address at studentsuccess@sandiego.edu.
In addition to our team, your Academic Director is a great resource!
All writing assignments must be formatted according to APA standards. Discussion posts must contain the appropriate APA citations. If you are unfamiliar with APA formatting, or simply require additional writing support, we recommend referencing the Purdue Online Writing Lab (also called OWL@Purdue). In addition to general writing support, the website includes a special section dedicated to APA formatting guidelines.
To further support your writing, we highly recommend using the School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) Graduate Student Writing Center. Students are encouraged to submit written course assignments via the digital submission form for online feedback from a professional writing coach. See site for details.
This course moves very quickly, and it is important that you turn in all assignments on or before their due dates. If, because of an emergency, you have missed a week or more of course work, please contact your professor immediately to inform them. While there is no guarantee that you will be allowed to make up your work, informing your professor early is the best way to get back on track and finish your course successfully.
Please do not wait more than a week without informing your professor. If your instructor’s email is not already visible on the Blackboard course, please use the USD directory to find their contact information.